Former crewmen gather at service of remembrance for a historic Falklands warship berthed in Wirral

May 23 2012 by Linda Foo Guest, Birkenhead News

A SERVICE of remembrance was held for a historic Falklands warship berthed in Wirral.

The service of thanksgiving and final farewell took place on Saturday on board HMS Plymouth, berthed at Vittoria Dock, Birkenhead.

More than 80 people attended the poignant goodbye to the warship which is destined to be scrapped in the coming months, on the 30th anniversary of the conflict.

Plymouth is the last warship from the Falklands War to be still afloat in the UK, and the last of her type.

Rev John Williams MBE Royal Navy conducted the service, which was attended by Lord Mayors of Wirral and Liverpool, Cllr Gerry Ellis and Cllr Frank Prendergast respectively.

Capt David Pentreath, who commanded Plymouth in the Falklands War when the surrender of the Argentine troops took place on board, sent words of hope.

Martin Slater, 62, who served on the ship as a signalman in 1971 to 1973, and is the secretary of the HMS Plymouth Association, told the News: “There were tears and a lump in our throats when the Last Post was played on the bugle as the white ensign was lowered at the stern.

“It was very poignant day and sad for all those who were there.

“The association will still keep going and that will keep the name of HMS Plymouth alive.”

HMS Plymouth was built in Devonport and launched in 1959. She was decommissioned in 1988.

She played an integral part in the conflict and the ship’s ward room was where the Argentinean forces in South Georgia signed their surrender.

Peel Ports who own the dock have not set a date when she will be scrapped.